Basel Cellars Estate Winery

Basel Cellars Estate Winery is in the heart of the Washington’s Walla Walla Valley. Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Washington State as the “2001 Wine Region of the Year” and said, “A community of winemakers is exploiting Washington’s advantages in climate and terroir to build an industry worthy of the world’s respect... it’s the red wines—first the Merlots, then Cabernets and lately the Syrahs—that generate the most excitement.” Basel Cellars Estate Winery is the perfect place to stage every celebration of life—reunions with family and friends, invigorating romantic escapes, memorable weddings—and the ideal venue for an executive retreat or casual corporate meeting—the grounds, the Resort, the facilities are one-of-a kind. “Thank you for your extraordinary hospitality during our recent visit to Walla Walla. We enjoyed the community, and wine touring in the area, and we’re certain to return, but the lovely accommodations made the trip!”

100% Syrah. A small production, multi-vineyard cuvee’ of 100% Syrah, 100% free run juice, aged for 19 months in 95% new oak. Only 18 barrels of this magnificent wine were produced. There are intoxicating aromas of freshly crushed red berries, flowers, spice, and mocha. On the palate, the wine is super rich, viscous, and multilayered. Complex flavors of red and black fruits and the continuation of the mocha are dominant on the long finish. The fine grained tannins support the wine throughout. This is a serious wine, meant for long term aging.

This Columbia Valley Merlot has wonderfully complex and earth aromas of red cherries, plums, and herbs, and is framed in with spicy, chocolaty notes from the oak. This is a very elegant, restrained Merlot, and will pair well with fresh beef and lamb. This wine should age gracefully for the next eight to ten years....590 cases.

Bordeaux-style blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. This gorgeous Bordeaux-style blend is deep red in color, and has a plush texture like crushed velvet. The nose is reminiscent of tobacco leaf and sweet cherry syrup. The flavors are dominated by plums, dark cherries, herbs, and spice. The tannins are smooth and supple. This wine is sure to age beautifully, revealing its complexity over the next 8-10 years.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The vineyards used in the production of this wine include our Estate Vineyard, Pheasant Run, along with Pepper Bridge, Waliser, and Spofford Station. Each of these vineyards, located in the pristine Walla Walla Valley Appellation, uniquely display their own terroir, due to the micro-climates in which they are grown. The long, hot days and cool nights help the grapes reach optimal maturity while retaining the balance needed to make world class wines. The wines spent 11 months on oak, 40% new French and American, and 60% 1-2 year old barrels, before bottling. This perfumey blend is voluptuous and round, filling the mouth with gobs of red and black fruits, and is balanced nicely with a touch of sweet oak. The tannins are approachable and the wine is drinking beautifully. This wine will almost certainly get better with time in bottle, but why wait?!

The 2003 Red Wine is a blend of 56% Merlot and 44% Cabernet Franc, and was aged for 23 months in 1-2 year old French and American barrels. The fragrant nose is reminiscent of sweet plums, raspberry tea, molasses, cinnamon, and mocha. The rich, concentrated mouth has flavors of ripe chocolate-covered cherries and blackberries, and finishes with beautifully integrated tannins. It should easily age for ten years, and perhaps longer.

This sumptuous wine is red-purple to the rim, with notes of flowers, caramel, spice box, graphite, and vanilla on the nose. The mouthfeel is dense, silky, and bright. The lush flavors of red berries and sweet ripe fruit carry through to the expansive finish.